I am going to be using #23-305-DS8A 425oz-in bipolar rating, 305oz-unipolar rating, 4.2v, 3A, 200 S/R, 3.2mH, Size #23, Dual Shaft, 8 wire stepper motors. Would I want to go with the 3.6 ratio or the 7.2? I am trying to get speed with cutting power. What do you think.

When looking at the gear rack in the Mechmate plans. It looks like it is held in place by 2 screws and 3M tape. Is this correct? Is there any problem with drilling and tapping the gear rack from the back say every 12". If I did this I would have to use V-rail. Or am I just over doing it.

Hi all !
As I recently posted on my thread, I’m in need to change my rack after all these years ! Back then, I as many others, I bought racks from Standard Steel Specialty.
This time, I want to try another one !!,,,
Any recommendation on some, maybe better ones then SSS ?
I'm considering Moore Gear for a combo of harden racks & gears !

Helical Racks....Yes on improvement in smoothness of motion, accuracy and noise reduction, can't debate that !!..
But also, like anything, there's 2 side to a coin....helical rack creates an axial load due to the helix angle of the teeth....
Load/drag....no so desired for our application ( I'm no rack engineer, but.... i'm wiling to learn )

My quest is to find some other source for a more "durable" material/product then reg cold roll steel like the one from SSS

Back to post #75, I was asking for some alternative rack source then SSS !
Finally, I'm getting SSS one's !!

BUT, as for gears, what brand you guys are using ??
I've got some from Boston and another one (initially from McMaster, but can't remember the brand).
Out of curiosity....and...say...a "scientific" survey....what other brands is being use here...WITH good to great results (accuracy ans wear) ?